Multi-level Mounting System

ABSTRACT

A tiered mounting system includes a base plate including a mounting guide rail having a plurality of mounting grooves that extend along opposing sides of the guide rail. The system also includes an object mount connector having a plurality of mounting ridges. The object mount connector is configured to: slidingly engage the mounting guide rail via insertion of one or more of the plurality of mounting ridges within a corresponding one or more of the plurality of mounting grooves, and lock in place along the mounting guide rail via a bolt placed through the object mount connector and secured tightly to an inner track of the mounting guide rail.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/080,464, filed on Oct. 26, 2020, entitled“Multi-Level Mounting System,” which claims the benefit of priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/632,732, which claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/048,152, filed on Jul.27, 2018, entitled “Multi-Level Mounting System,” which claims thebenefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/632,732,filed on Jun. 26, 2017, entitled “Multi-Level Mounting System,” both ofwhich are incorporated in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Various tools and components for mounting solar panels and other objectsto a surface, such as the roof of a building, are available, andoccasionally, the components or parts may be specific to a particularsolar panel installation system. For example, the solar panels beingmounted by a first contractor may be the same or significantly similarto solar panels being mounted to a surface by a second contractor.However, depending on factors such as surface characteristics or merelythe preference of the installing contractor, the first contractor mayselect to use a different mounting system than the second contractor.Despite the differences between various mounting systems, there may becertain parts that are the same or sufficiently similar to parts indifferent branded or styled systems that the parts may beinterchangeable. Accordingly, while some commonly used components in theindustry may be considered to be fairly generic and may function withdifferent makes or models of solar panels regardless of sizing, thereare other components for which multiple distinct sizes may bemanufactured in order to accommodate different sizes or heights of thesystem being installed. As such, it may be cumbersome and/orinconvenient for a contractor to carry and/or keep in stock the multipledifferent sized components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Detailed Description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items. Furthermore, the drawings may be considered asproviding an approximate depiction of the relative sizes of theindividual components within individual figures. However, the drawingsare not to scale, and the relative sizes of the individual components,both within individual figures and between the different figures, mayvary from what is depicted. In particular, some of the figures maydepict components as a certain size or shape, while other figures maydepict the same components on a larger scale or differently shaped forthe sake of clarity.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a base member of a multi-levelmounting system according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a front side view of the base member in FIG. 1Aaccording to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an object mount connector ofthe multi-level mounting system according to an embodiment of theinstant disclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front side view of the object mount connector inFIG. 2A according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front side view of a first position of themulti-level mounting system including the base member in FIG. 1A and theobject mount connector in FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of theinstant disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front side view of a second position of themulti-level mounting system including the base member in FIG. 1A and theobject mount connector in FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of theinstant disclosure.

FIG. 3C illustrates a front side view of a third position of themulti-level mounting system including the base member in FIG. 1A and theobject mount connector in FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of theinstant disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the multi-level mounting system includingthe base member in FIG. 1A and the object mount connector in FIG. 2Awith a bolt and nut aligned with the combination according to anembodiment of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the multi-level mounting system installedon a roof for mounting an object thereto according to an embodiment ofthe instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

This disclosure is directed generally to a multi-level mounting system.The multi-level mounting system includes features that provide a userthe ability to quickly and easily adjust the mounting height of themount system without having to swap any components of the system fordifferently sized components. The multi-level mounting system disclosedherein may be used to mount solar panels, or objects other than solarpanels, to a surface such as a roof of a building structure.

The multi-level mounting system may include two components configured toengage and connect with each other in a multitude of orientations suchthat the system has a different overall height for each variation ofengagement between the two components.

The first component of the multi-level mounting system is a base memberthat is to be secured to a surface and which anchors a mounted object tothe surface. The base member is configured to receive the secondcomponent of the multi-level mounting system, an object mount connector,which functions as an intermediary connection between the object beingmounted and the base member. The base member may have a flat plate shapeon one side and a mounting portion on the opposing side. The flat sideof the base member may be placed against the mounting surface andsecured thereto via fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, nails, etc.). Themounting portion (also referred to herein as a mounting guide rail and atiered mounting portion) of the base member is configured to engage withthe object mount connector in order to mount the object to the surface.

The structural connecting features that facilitate engagement betweenthe object mount connector and the base member may includecorrespondingly shaped convexities and concavities in the respectiveprofiles of the object mount connector and the base member. In anexample embodiment, a concave section of the object mount connector isshaped to accommodate a corresponding convex section of the base member,and vice versa. Additionally, the structural features that facilitatethe engagement between the object mount connector and the base membersimultaneously provide a way to secure the object to the surface. Thatis, in addition to the correspondingly shaped convexities andconcavities, the base member includes a lipped opening in a centerportion thereof in which, during installation, the head of a bolt may beinserted. The head of the bolt catches on the lipped opening, preventingthe bolt from coming out. The bolt is further inserted through boltholes in the object mount connector in alignment with the base member,and a nut secures the bolt above the object mount connector to therebymount an object.

In addition to facilitating engagement between the base member with theobject mount connector, the connecting features facilitate changing theoverall height of the multi-level mounting system. Note, the “connectingfeatures” as discussed herein refers to parts of both the base memberand the object mount connector that permit connection therebetween.However, individually, the connecting feature of the base member isreferred to as the mounting portion discussed above, and the connectingfeature of the object mount connector refers to any of a plurality ofattachment sections, each configured to engage the mounting portion ofthe base member in a structurally similar manner, and each forming adifferent height. Thus, by changing which attachment section of theobject mount connector engages the base member, the overall height ofthe multi-level mounting system changes. Conveniently, a single objectmount connector may be utilized to form at least three different overallheights of the multi-level mounting system. As such, the disclosedmulti-level mounting system may eliminate the conventional need to carryand stock multiple different sized mounting connector components for agiven installation. Therefore, the multi-level mounting system describedherein simplifies the installation process of mounting solar panelsand/or other objects to a surface.

With further respect to the attachment sections of the object mountconnector, the attachment sections may be discussed with respect to thelocation of the attachment sections on the object mount connector,and/or with respect to the level within the tiers of attachment sectionsat a specified location on the object mount connector. Specifically,attachment sections may protrude from a side of the object mountconnector and/or may be stacked in tiers, creating multiple levels withwhich to engage the base member.

When referring to the attachment sections based on the location thereofon the object mount connector, in an example embodiment, the attachmentsections may protrude from a side of the object mount connector in thewidth direction and/or may protrude from a side of the object mountconnector in the length direction. By engaging the object mountconnector to the base member using an attachment section on the side inthe width direction, the overall height is less than when engaging anattachment section on the side in the length direction.

Further, when referring to the attachment sections based on the levelthereof within the tiers on the object mount connector, in an exampleembodiment, the attachment sections are individual levels among thetiers on either side of the object mount connector in the width andlength directions. That is, the attachment sections on the side in thewidth direction are tiered to provide at least a first height and asecond height variation when the side in the width direction is engaged.Likewise, when the side in the length direction is engaged, theattachment sections are also tiered to provide at least a third heightand a fourth height variation. The difference in the multiple heightsmay be determined by comparing the distance between a point on the flatplate of the base member with a point on the object mount connector thatis farthest away from the plate of the base member. A comparison of thedistance between the same points in each tier shows that the overallheight of the multi-level mounting system is distinct for each tier uponengagement.

Moreover, in an embodiment, the mounting portion of the base member maybe elongated to extend along a length of the base member. As such, theengagement between the object mount connector and the base member may bea sliding engagement so that the position of the object mount connectormay be slidingly adjustable prior to being secured tightly via the boltand nut being tightened. Such a configuration provides a user with theability to adjust the object mount connector along a length direction ofthe base member at small increments in order to position the solarpanels or other objects more precisely.

Illustrative Embodiments of a Multi-Level Mounting System

In FIG. 1A, a base member 100 is depicted in perspective view. Forreference purposes throughout this description, a length direction L, awidth direction W, and a height direction H are shown with respect tobase member 100. While depicted as an elongated structure, it iscontemplated that base member 100 may be shorter in the length directionL than is depicted. Inasmuch as FIG. 1B depicts a front side view ofbase member 100 in FIG. 1A, any reference numbers shown on FIG. 1A areequally applicable to corresponding features in FIG. 1B, and vice versa.

Base member 100 includes a surface anchor portion 102. As depicted,surface anchor portion 102 may be substantially planar. However, it iscontemplated that surface anchor portion 102 may alternatively benon-planar to accommodate the shape of a non-planar surface on whichbase member 100 may be mounted. Base member 100 may be mounted to anysuitable surface via correspondingly suitable means according to thesurface material and the amount of force under which the user desiresthat the object being mounted can withstand before the base member 100is removed. For example, base member 100 may include one or morefastener holes 100(fh) via which one or more fasteners (not depicted)may secure base member 100 to a surface.

Base member 100 may further include a mounting portion 104 formed on thesurface anchor portion 102. Mounting portion 104 may protrudesubstantially orthogonally from and with respect to the upper face ofsurface anchor portion 102. In an embodiment in which base member 100 iselongated (as shown) such that mounting portion 104 extends in thelength direction L to a dimension greater than a dimension of a width ofmounting portion in the width direction W, mounting portion 104 duallyfunctions as a guide rail.

With respect to the structure of mounting portion 104, in an exampleembodiment as shown, a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls 106 a,106 b define opposing lateral perimeters of mounting portion 104.Inasmuch as sidewalls 106 a, 106 b are not connected to each other attop edges thereof, sidewalls 106 a, 106 b further define an open channel108 therebetween. The outside profile of each sidewall 106 a, 106 b mayinclude one or more protrusions, such as protrusion 110 a and protrusion110 b, that protrude outwardly from an outer surface of respectivesidewalls 106 a, 106 b. Protrusions 110 a, 110 b may extend in thelength direction L and protrude from respective sidewalls 106 a, 106 b,such that a distance in the height direction H from the plane of theupper surface of surface anchor portion 102 to a protrusion is apredetermined distance. Protrusions 110 a, 110 b may be aligned on afirst plane that extends substantially in parallel to the plane of theupper surface of surface anchor portion 102. As a pair, protrusions 110a, 110 b serve as a first mounting tier for engagement with an objectmount connector (see FIG. 2).

Mounting portion 104 may further include a second mounting tier definedby a second set of protrusions 112 a, 112 b. As depicted, protrusions112 a, 112 b protrude from the outer surface at the upper ends of therespective sidewalls 106 a, 106 b and are aligned on a second plane thatextends substantially in parallel to the plane of the upper surface ofsurface anchor portion 102. Furthermore, protrusions 112 a, 112 b may belocated in vertical alignment with, and spaced apart from, protrusions110 a, 110 b of the first tier.

Accordingly, mounting portion 104 may include a plurality of mountingtiers spaced a desired or predetermined distance apart. Across-sectional profile of mounting portion 104, taken along line A-Awhich is orthogonal to the length direction L, includes a series ofconvexities (e.g., protrusions 110 a, 110 b, 112 a, and 112 b) andconcavities (e.g., space 114 on outer surface of sidewall 106 a betweenprotrusions 110 a and 110 b), where the concavities are “valleys”adjacent to and/or in between protruding convexities. The convex/concaveprofile creates an interlocking connection with the object mountconnector.

Though described above and depicted in the corresponding figures asextending substantially on the same plane, it is contemplated that apair of protrusions that make up a tier may be staggered in height onopposite sides of mounting portion 104, such that the respectiveprotrusions extend on different planes.

In addition to protrusions 110 a, 110 b, 112 a, and 112 b, mountingportion 104 may include lips 116 a, 116 b that provide resistance toremoval of a mounted object. Lips 116 a, 116 b extend inward towardchannel 108 at the upper ends of the respective sidewalls 106 a, 106 b.While not in contact with each other and thus not enclosing channel 108,lips 116 a, 116 b extend toward each other into channel 108 to theextent that the shaft of a bolt (not shown in FIGS. 1A or 1B) isinsertable between lips 116 a, 116 b while the head of the bolt isinserted in channel 108 beneath lips 116 a, 116 b. Moreover, lips 116 a,116 b prevent the bolt from being pulled upward and out of channel 108because the outer dimension of the head of the bolt is greater than adimension of the gap between lip 116 a and lip 116 b. As such, the headof the bolt cannot pass between lips 116 a, 116 b.

In an embodiment, a structural support rib 118 may extend betweensidewall 106 a and sidewall 106 b. Support rib 118 may be disposedwithin channel 108, beneath lips 116 a, 116 b, and above the upper faceof surface anchor portion 102. Additionally, support rib 118 may beformed integrally with base member 100, for example, where base member100 is an extruded component of the mounting system. Disposed internallyin mount portion 104 and spanning channel 108 between sidewalls 106 a,106 b, support rib 118 may provide lateral stabilization strength tosidewalls 106 a, 106 b and minimize a risk of sidewalls 106 a, 106 bbending out of place during transit or inclement weather afterinstallation.

In FIG. 2A, an object mount connector 200 is depicted in perspectiveview. Unlike base member 100, which is secured to a surface in the sameorientation each time, object mount connector 200 may be mounted ontobase member 100 from one of two sides thereof. That is, when mounting anobject with the instant mounting system, surface anchor portion 102 isoriented so that the flat side of surface anchor portion 102 is incontact with the surface to which an object is to be mounted. Thus, FIG.1A shows the height, length, and width directions. In contrast, whenobject mount connector 200 is oriented as depicted in FIG. 2A, formounting on an end thereof, the longest dimension (length L′) of theobject mount connector 200 extends vertically, whereas when oriented formounting from a side orthogonal to the end thereof, length L′ extendshorizontally and a smaller dimension (width W′) of the object mountconnector 200 extends vertically. Thus, although the height of an objectgenerally refers to a vertical dimension, since there are two possibleorientations from which a height may be determined with respect to theobject mount connector 200, a reference designation of height is notlabeled in FIG. 2A. Rather, for reference purposes and regardless oforientation, length L′ hereinafter refers to the longest dimension andthe accompanying direction of the object mount connector 200, and widthW′ refers to the shorter dimension that is orthogonal in direction tolength L′ with respect to the front view of object mount connector 200in FIG. 2B. Additionally, a thickness t′ of object mount connector 200is shown in FIG. 2A. Inasmuch as FIG. 2B depicts a front side view ofobject mount connector 200 in FIG. 2A, any reference numbers shown onFIG. 2A are equally applicable to corresponding features in FIG. 2B, andvice versa.

A body portion 202 of object mount connector 200 is depicted as a dashedline, as shown in FIG. 2B. Integral with body portion 202 may be a firstattachment section 204 (also depicted as a dashed line) and a secondattachment section 206 (also depicted as a dashed line). Firstattachment section 204 and second attachment section 206 are integratedinto adjacent sides of object mount connector 200 and are formed withbody portion 202 at particular dimensions so that, upon connectingobject mount connector 200 with base member 100 during use, the overallheight of the assembled mounting system meets predetermined heightdimensions, which may be industry standard dimensions for objectmounting.

Inasmuch as each of first attachment section 204 and second attachmentsection 206 are sized to connect with the same mount portion 104, thecomponents and features of first attachment section 204 and secondattachment section 206 may be similarly sized and structure. As such,elements and features of “an attachment section,” though referenced withreference numbers only depicted in second attachment section 206, arediscussed herein generically with applicability to both first attachmentsection 204 and second attachment section 206.

Therefore, in an embodiment, an attachment section (204, 206) mayinclude a pair of opposing sidewalls 208 a, 208 b that extend from bodyportion 202 forming a channel 210 therebetween. In the depiction of FIG.2B, sidewalls 208 a, 208 b further extend in the direction accompanyinglength L′. Each sidewall 208 a, 208 b may include respective protrusions212 a, 214 a and protrusions 212 b, 214 b.

Similar to the protrusions of base member 100 as discussed above, a pairof aligned protrusions 212 a, 212 b serve as an attachment section tierfor engagement with base member 100. Another pair of protrusions 214 a,214 b also serve as an attachment section tier for engagement with basemember 100. Note, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “attachmentsection” may refer to an individual tier among adjacent tiers, such thateach tier is an “attachment section,” and/or “an attachment section” mayrefer to a collective group of aligned tiers on object mount connector200.

Protrusions 212 a and 214 a are spaced apart so as to form a space 216therebetween. Protrusions 212 b and 214 b are similarly spaced apartalong the same planes as corresponding tier protrusions 212 a and 214 a,respectively. Thus, like base member 100, the profile of object mountconnector 200 includes convexities and adjacent concavities. However,since object mount connector 200 is intended to interlock and mount tobase member 100, spaces such as space 216 and protrusions 212 a, 212 b,214 a, 214 b are shifted in positional alignment, so that protrusions212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b may be inserted into correspondingconcavities of base member 100, such as space 114, while protrusions 110a, 110 b, 112 a, 112 b may be inserted into corresponding concavities ofobject mount connector 200. Further, protrusions 212 a, 212 b, 214 a,214 b protrude inwardly toward channel 210. Accordingly, mount portion104 is sized and shaped to be inserted into channel 210 of object mountconnector 200, (or stated inversely—first and second attachment sections204, 206 are sized and shaped to slide onto mount portion 104) andthereby engage and interlock together.

Connection between object mount connector 200 and base member 100 mayoccur via a multitude of orientations. That is, due to the number oftiers and the plurality of attachment sections, object mount connector200 may engage base member 100 using a single tier or both tiers, on oneof either first attachment section 204 or second attachment section 206.Therefore, the overall height of the mounting system may vary dependingon the orientation of object mount connector 200 with respect to basemember 100. Taller mount systems may be achieved by connecting one ormore tiers from second attachment section 206 to mount portion 104 ofbase member 100 because the longest dimension length L′ is orientedvertically. In contrast, shorter mount systems may be achieved byconnecting one or more tiers from first attachment section 204 to mountportion 104 of base member 100 because the shorter dimension width W′ isoriented vertically.

Object mount connector 200 further includes a bolt hole 218 extending inthe width W′ direction through a wall of body portion 202, where thewall extends in the thickness t′ direction and in the length L′direction. An axis of bolt hole 218 is aligned to pass through bodyportion 202 and a center of first attachment section 204. Thusly, a boltmay be inserted through object mount connector 200 via bolt hole 218 tosecure object mount connector 200 to base member 100 upon engagementwith a nut outside of object mount connector 200. Likewise, object mountconnector 200 also includes a bolt hole 220 extending in the length L′direction through a wall of body portion 202, where the wall extends inthe thickness t′ direction and the width W′ direction. An axis of bolthole 220 is aligned to pass through body portion 202 and a center ofsecond attachment section 206. Thusly, a bolt may be inserted throughobject mount connector 200 via bolt hole 220 to secure object mountconnector 200 to base member 100 upon engagement with a nut outside ofobject mount connector 200.

It is noted that body portion 202 of object mount connector 200 mayfurther include one or more holes 222, as seen in FIG. 2B, extending inthe thickness t′ direction for several reasons, such as material costsavings, weight reduction, manufacturability, etc.

FIG. 3A depicts a mount system 300 including a base member 302 attachedto an object mount connector 304 via a first tier and a second tier of afirst attachment section. In the orientation shown in FIG. 3A, mountsystem 300 is at the shortest overall height orientation available inthe particular embodiment shown. FIG. 3B depicts mount system 300including base member 302 attached to object mount connector 304 viaonly the first tier of the first attachment section. In the orientationshown in FIG. 3B, mount system 300 is at the second shortest overallheight orientation available in the particular embodiment shown. FIG. 3Cdepicts mount system 300 including base member 302 attached to objectmount connector 304 via a first tier and a second tier of a secondattachment section. In the orientation shown in FIG. 3C, mount system300 is at the second tallest overall height orientation available in theparticular embodiment shown.

In FIG. 4, a multi-level mounting system 400 is shown in an explodedview. Mounting system 400 includes a base member 402, an object mountconnector 404, a bolt 406, and a nut 408. As depicted, the outerdimension of bolt head 406(b) is larger than a gap 410 between the lips(not numbered) in base member 402, yet is smaller than the widthdimension of a channel 412 therein. Thus, bolt 406 may be insertedthrough bolt hole 414 that extends through object mount connector 404 tobe received by nut 408, and object mount connector 404 may slide ontobase member 402. The process of sliding object mount connector 404 ontobase member 402 includes sliding bolt head 406(b) into channel 412 Note,though depicted as having a threaded surface only on a distal end ofbolt 406, bolt 406 is not limited to such and may have as much as anentirety of the shaft threaded.

Further, in an embodiment of a mount system 500 depicted in FIG. 5, insecuring an object 502 (such as an L-bracket as depicted) to a surface504, bolt 506 may first pass through a bolt hole (not labeled) in objectmount connector 508. The bolt head slides into the channel of basemember 510 before passing through object 502. Further, nut 512 thatsecures bolt 506 at the top of object 502, as shown in FIG. 5. Note,base member 510 may be secured to surface 504 via one or more fasteners514.

Conclusion

Although several embodiments have been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features oracts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed asillustrative forms of implementing the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tiered mounting system, comprising: a baseplate including: a planar portion having an upper surface, the uppersurface defining a plane, and a mounting guide rail that abuts andprotrudes from the upper surface substantially orthogonal to the plane;and an object mount connector having a longer length direction than awidth direction, the object mount connector including: a firstconnection section that protrudes, along the longer length direction,from a first sidewall, a second connection section that protrudes, alongthe width direction, from a second sidewall that abuts and issubstantially orthogonal to the first sidewall, wherein the firstconnection section is configured to mount to the mounting guide rail ina first position where the longer length direction extends substantiallyorthogonal to the plane of the upper surface, and the second connectionsection is configured to mount to the mounting guide rail in a secondposition where the width direction extends substantially orthogonal tothe plane of the upper surface, and wherein each of the first connectionsection and the second connection section include a multiple-tieredmount to permit multiple different mounting heights at each of the firstconnection section and the second connection section.
 2. The tieredmounting system according to claim 1, wherein the base plate isconfigured to be mounted on a surface, the planar portion having one ormore through-holes sized to accommodate a surface fastener to secure thebase plate against the surface, and wherein the mounting guide railextends transversely to the planar portion.
 3. The tiered mountingsystem according to claim 1, wherein the object mount connector furtherincludes: a first fastener hole extending in the longer length directionand passing through the first connection section, the first fastenerhole sized for receiving a body of a fastener for securing the objectmount connector in the first position; and a second fastener holeextending in the width direction and passing through the secondconnection section, the second fastener hole for receiving the body ofthe fastener for securing the object mount connector in the secondposition.
 4. The tiered mounting system according to claim 3, wherein:an axis of the first fastener hole is aligned to pass through a bodyportion of the object mount connector and through a center of the firstconnection section such that the fastener is insertable through theobject mount connector via the first fastener hole to secure the objectmount connector to the mounting guide rail in the first position uponengagement of a nut disposed outside of the object mount connector, andan axis of the second fastener hole is aligned to pass through the bodyportion of the object mount connector and through a center of the secondconnection section such that the fastener is insertable through theobject mount connector via the second fastener hole to secure the objectmount connector to the mounting guide rail in the second position uponengagement of the nut disposed outside of the object mount connector. 5.The tiered mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the mountingguide rail includes: a first rail wall disposed parallel to a secondrail wall, an inner track extending between the first rail wall and thesecond rail wall, the inner track including a gap sized to: allowpassage of a body of a fastener therethrough, and prevent passage of ahead of the fastener therethrough.
 6. The tiered mounting systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the multiple-tiered mount of the firstconnection section has a first plurality of mounting ridges thatprotrude from the first sidewall, and wherein the multiple-tiered mountof the second connection section has a second plurality of mountingridges that protrude from the second sidewall.
 7. The tiered mountingsystem according to claim 6, wherein the mounting guide rail includes: afirst rail wall disposed parallel to a second rail wall, a plurality ofmounting grooves including a first set of grooves spaced apart on anouter side of the first rail wall and a second set of grooves spacedapart on an outer side of the second rail wall; and wherein: the firstconnection section of the object mount connector is configured toslidingly engage the mounting guide rail via insertion of the firstplurality of mounting ridges within a corresponding one or more of theplurality of mounting grooves, and the second connection section of theobject mount connector is configured to slidingly engage the mountingguide rail via insertion of the second plurality of mounting ridgeswithin the corresponding one or more of the plurality of mountinggrooves.
 8. A tiered mounting system, comprising: a base plate to secureagainst a surface, the base plate including: a planar portion having oneor more through-holes sized to accommodate a surface fastener to securethe base plate against the surface, and a mounting guide rail that abutsand protrudes substantially orthogonal to the planar portion; and anobject mount connector having a longer length direction than a widthdirection, the object mount connector including: a first connectionsection that protrudes, along the longer length direction, from a firstsidewall, and a second connection section that protrudes, along thewidth direction, from a second sidewall of the object mount connectorthat abuts and is substantially orthogonal to the first sidewall,wherein the first connection section is configured to mount to themounting guide rail in a first position where the longer lengthdirection extends substantially orthogonal to the planar portion of thebase plate, and the second connection section is configured to mount tothe mounting guide rail of the base plate in a second position where thewidth direction extends substantially orthogonal to the planar portionof the base plate, and wherein each of the first connection section andthe second connection section include a multiple-tiered mount to permitmultiple different mounting heights at each of the first connectionsection and the second connection section.
 9. The tiered mounting systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the multiple-tiered mount of the firstconnection section has a first plurality of mounting ridges thatprotrude from the first sidewall, and wherein the multiple-tiered mountof the second connection section has a second plurality of mountingridges that protrude from the second sidewall.
 10. The tiered mountingsystem according to claim 9, wherein the mounting guide rail includes: afirst rail wall disposed parallel to a second rail wall, a plurality ofmounting grooves including a first set of grooves spaced apart on anouter side of the first rail wall and a second set of grooves spacedapart on an outer side of the second rail wall; and wherein: the firstconnection section of the object mount connector is configured toslidingly engage the mounting guide rail via insertion of the firstplurality of mounting ridges within a corresponding one or more of theplurality of mounting grooves, and the second connection section of theobject mount connector is configured to slidingly engage the mountingguide rail via insertion of the second plurality of mounting ridgeswithin the corresponding one or more of the plurality of mountinggrooves.
 11. The tiered mounting system according to claim 8, whereinthe object mount connector further includes: a first fastener holeextending in the longer length direction and passing through the firstconnection section, the first fastener hole for receiving a body of afastener for securing the object mount connector in the first position;and a second fastener hole extending in the width direction and passingthrough the second connection section, the second fastener hole forreceiving the body of the fastener for securing the object mountconnector in the second position.
 12. The tiered mounting systemaccording to claim 11, wherein: an axis of the first fastener hole isaligned to pass through a body portion of the object mount connector andthrough a center of the first connection section such that the fasteneris insertable through the object mount connector via the first fastenerhole to secure the object mount connector to the mounting guide rail inthe first position upon engagement of a nut disposed outside of theobject mount connector, and an axis of the second fastener hole isaligned to pass through the body portion of the object mount connectorand through a center of the second connection section such that thefastener is insertable through the object mount connector via the secondfastener hole to secure the object mount connector to the mounting guiderail in the second position upon engagement of the nut disposed outsideof the object mount connector.
 13. The tiered mounting system accordingto claim 8, wherein the mounting guide rail includes: a first rail walldisposed parallel to a second rail wall, an inner track extendingbetween the first rail wall and the second rail wall, and a plurality ofmounting grooves including a first set of grooves spaced apart on anouter side of the first rail wall and a second set of grooves spacedapart on an outer side of the second rail wall.
 14. The tiered mountingsystem according to claim 13, wherein the inner track includes a gapsized to: allow passage of a body of a fastener therethrough, andprevent passage of a head of the fastener therethrough.
 15. A tieredmounting system, comprising: a base plate including a mounting guiderail; and an object mount connector having a longer length directionthan a width direction, the object mount connector including: a firstconnection section that protrudes, along the longer length direction,from a first sidewall, a second connection section that protrudes, alongthe width direction, from a second sidewall that abuts and issubstantially orthogonal to the first sidewall, wherein the firstconnection section is configured to mount to the mounting guide rail ina first position where the longer length direction extends vertically,and the second connection section is configured to mount to the mountingguide rail in a second position where the width direction extendsvertically, and wherein each of the first connection section and thesecond connection section include a multiple-tiered mount to permitmultiple different mounting heights at each of the first connectionsection and the second connection section.
 16. The tiered mountingsystem according to claim 15, wherein the multiple-tiered mount of thefirst connection section has a first plurality of mounting ridges thatprotrude from the first sidewall, and wherein the multiple-tiered mountof the second connection section has a second plurality of mountingridges that protrude from the second sidewall.
 17. The tiered mountingsystem according to claim 16, wherein the mounting guide rail includes:a first rail wall disposed parallel to a second rail wall, a pluralityof mounting grooves including a first set of grooves spaced apart on anouter side of the first rail wall and a second set of grooves spacedapart on an outer side of the second rail wall; and wherein: the firstconnection section of the object mount connector is configured toslidingly engage the mounting guide rail via insertion of the firstplurality of mounting ridges within a corresponding one or more of theplurality of mounting grooves, and the second connection section of theobject mount connector is configured to slidingly engage the mountingguide rail via insertion of the second plurality of mounting ridgeswithin the corresponding one or more of the plurality of mountinggrooves.
 18. The tiered mounting system according to claim 15, whereinthe base plate is configured to be mounted on a surface, wherein thebase plate further includes a planar portion having one or morethrough-holes sized to accommodate a surface fastener to secure the baseplate against the surface, and wherein the mounting guide rail extendstransversely to the planar portion.
 19. The tiered mounting systemaccording to claim 15, wherein the mounting guide rail includes: a firstrail wall disposed parallel to a second rail wall, an inner trackextending between the first rail wall and the second rail wall, and aplurality of mounting grooves including a first set of grooves spacedapart on an outer side of the first rail wall and a second set ofgrooves spaced apart on an outer side of the second rail wall.
 20. Thetiered mounting system according to claim 15, wherein the object mountconnector further includes: a first fastener hole extending in thelonger length direction and passing through the first connectionsection, the first fastener hole for receiving a body of a fastener forsecuring the object mount connector in the first position; and a secondfastener hole extending in the width direction and passing through thesecond connection section, the second fastener hole for receiving thebody of the fastener for securing the object mount connector in thesecond position.